Diana Vickers became a household name back in 2008 when she appeared in hit ITV1 talent show The X Factor. After making the semi-finals, Vickers released a number one debut single and album before taking to the West End stage in The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice.
Since then, she’s been expanding her career in acting, both on stage and on screen. Now she’s heading to the Midlands to play the role of Janet in Richard O’Brien’s ever-popular rock’n’roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show.
Is singing and acting something you’ve wanted to do since you were very young, Diana?
Oh yeah, it's been something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I went to ballet, tap and singing lessons, as well as acting school at the weekends. So yeah, it's something I've always wanted to do.
Obviously you're best known from The X Factor. At the time, you were only 17. Reflecting on that experience eight years later, would you have done anything differently?
No, I don't think I'd have done anything differently when it comes to what happened on the show. I perhaps wish I'd done it when I was a little bit older, maybe. It's such a big thing to do; it's quite stressful. I don't have any regrets at all. It was a great experience and was very much ‘of the moment’. I'm very happy with what's happened since then, so I can't really moan about the whole experience.
Did you ever expect to grab the top spot in the charts with your debut single, Once, and your debut album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree?
No, I was so overwhelmed! When I got the number one single, it was wonderful - but when the album went to number one as well, that was so overwhelming. It was such a big body of work, and I'd poured so much time, blood, sweat and tears into it. It was totally unexpected and something that I'll always be very grateful for.
You moved into musical theatre in 2009, taking the title role in the West End production of The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice. What made you decide to take up a new career in theatre so soon after your time on The X Factor?
I did theatre when I was younger and I loved it. It was something that I wanted to do eventually anyway. Nica Burns, the producer of Little Voice, and Jim Cartwright, the author, approached me. I was actually in the middle of writing my album and was keen to get on with recording it. But Little Voice was such a great opportunity that I decided my album could wait for a while. Taking the part is one of the best things I ever did. It opened so many doors and taught me so much. It trained me so well in terms of my acting and my voice. It was a real Godsend for me, getting that part.
You then moved into acting roles in film and TV. Is this something you'd like to do more of in the future?
Yeah, definitely. I love it. I especially love doing comedy. I did Give Out Girls and, more recently, Top Coppers. I've also done a couple of pilots for other comedies. I just love it. Doing TV is really time-consuming but such great fun. When it all comes together and you see the final edit, it's really quite magical. I'd certainly love to do more screen work. It's the plan to do more after I finish my current projects.
Who inspires your work?
Acting-wise, Meryl Streep is a genius! I think she inspires a lot of people. Music-wise, I don't really know. I grew up listening to all sorts of artists, from Celine Dion to The Beatles. There were a lot of people who inspired me.
You're heading to the Midlands to star in the legendary Rocky Horror Show. Are you excited?
Yeah! I really can't wait! I'm really nervous and excited about the audiences because I've never played such a big part before. And, of course, Rocky Horror has such a huge, cult following. When we're in rehearsals, everyone's thinking about the audience and what they want. I'm excited to see their reactions, but I'm equally worried about shout-outs or heckles! But yes, I certainly can't wait to visit the Midlands and get on stage!
You're playing the role of Janet alongside a great cast. What excites you most about your character?
I love how, at the beginning, she's very virginal; she's a young woman who's very sweet and innocent. Then, halfway through, this sexy vixen is released in her. I love singing Touch Me and I love doing the bedroom scenes - they're such fun! It's a real buzz when I do that - and to see the transformation she goes through is really exciting.
The Rocky Horror Show was first produced in 1973 and has since become a global phenomenon. Do you feel any pressure to live up to past performers in the same role?
Yeah, I do. Like I said, the fans are so involved and absolutely love the show. I really want them to like me and think that I'm doing a good job. It's such an important part of the show that they like my portrayal of the character. I'm just trying to put my own stamp on things. I auditioned for the part and worked really hard, so I'm just going to go in there and do my best and do it my way. I hope the audiences will enjoy Janet as much as I enjoy playing her.
Were you a Rocky Horror fan before you agreed to take part in the show?
Yeah, I knew the film, as I'd seen it when I was younger. I've got a lot of friends who go and see the show when it tours; they're huge superfans. I loved the film and was very aware of it, but now I've got the fever! It's safe to say that I'm now a big Rocky Horror fan!
How would you describe Rocky Horror?
It's such a fun show! It's a rollercoaster of a show. It's filled with great songs and amazing dancing. It's raunchy, it's sexy, it has sass and it's really funny. All of that and yet quite emotional at the same time. It's very character-driven too. If you want a good night out, where you can get up and dance at the theatre, it's definitely the show to see!
What's it like working with the rest of the cast? Is there a chemistry?
Yeah, we all get along like a house on fire! It's such a great company; they're all really lovely. Everybody works really hard and there's no bad energy. I'm excited to get on the road with them all. Liam Tamne, who's playing Frank N Furter, is absolutely fantastic. Every time I watch him, I'm in complete awe of him! The whole company hold it all together and help each other out. I couldn't hope for a better team, to be honest!
What would be your ideal role in theatre?
There are so many great characters out there. I'd love to play Roxie Hart in Chicago. That would be a bit of a dream!
Would you like to produce more music in the future?
Yeah, never say never! I love writing and I love singing, but right now, I'm concentrating on my acting. In the past, I've spent so much time in the studio on my music that I'm taking some time out to do something different.
Diana Vickers became a household name back in 2008 when she appeared in hit ITV1 talent show The X Factor. After making the semi-finals, Vickers released a number one debut single and album before taking to the West End stage in The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice.
Since then, she’s been expanding her career in acting, both on stage and on screen. Now she’s heading to the Midlands to play the role of Janet in Richard O’Brien’s ever-popular rock’n’roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show.
Is singing and acting something you’ve wanted to do since you were very young, Diana?
Oh yeah, it's been something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I went to ballet, tap and singing lessons, as well as acting school at the weekends. So yeah, it's something I've always wanted to do.
Obviously you're best known from The X Factor. At the time, you were only 17. Reflecting on that experience eight years later, would you have done anything differently?
No, I don't think I'd have done anything differently when it comes to what happened on the show. I perhaps wish I'd done it when I was a little bit older, maybe. It's such a big thing to do; it's quite stressful. I don't have any regrets at all. It was a great experience and was very much ‘of the moment’. I'm very happy with what's happened since then, so I can't really moan about the whole experience.
Did you ever expect to grab the top spot in the charts with your debut single, Once, and your debut album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree?
No, I was so overwhelmed! When I got the number one single, it was wonderful - but when the album went to number one as well, that was so overwhelming. It was such a big body of work, and I'd poured so much time, blood, sweat and tears into it. It was totally unexpected and something that I'll always be very grateful for.
You moved into musical theatre in 2009, taking the title role in the West End production of The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice. What made you decide to take up a new career in theatre so soon after your time on The X Factor?
I did theatre when I was younger and I loved it. It was something that I wanted to do eventually anyway. Nica Burns, the producer of Little Voice, and Jim Cartwright, the author, approached me. I was actually in the middle of writing my album and was keen to get on with recording it. But Little Voice was such a great opportunity that I decided my album could wait for a while. Taking the part is one of the best things I ever did. It opened so many doors and taught me so much. It trained me so well in terms of my acting and my voice. It was a real Godsend for me, getting that part.
You then moved into acting roles in film and TV. Is this something you'd like to do more of in the future?
Yeah, definitely. I love it. I especially love doing comedy. I did Give Out Girls and, more recently, Top Coppers. I've also done a couple of pilots for other comedies. I just love it. Doing TV is really time-consuming but such great fun. When it all comes together and you see the final edit, it's really quite magical. I'd certainly love to do more screen work. It's the plan to do more after I finish my current projects.
Who inspires your work?
Acting-wise, Meryl Streep is a genius! I think she inspires a lot of people. Music-wise, I don't really know. I grew up listening to all sorts of artists, from Celine Dion to The Beatles. There were a lot of people who inspired me.
You're heading to the Midlands to star in the legendary Rocky Horror Show. Are you excited?
Yeah! I really can't wait! I'm really nervous and excited about the audiences because I've never played such a big part before. And, of course, Rocky Horror has such a huge, cult following. When we're in rehearsals, everyone's thinking about the audience and what they want. I'm excited to see their reactions, but I'm equally worried about shout-outs or heckles! But yes, I certainly can't wait to visit the Midlands and get on stage!
You're playing the role of Janet alongside a great cast. What excites you most about your character?
I love how, at the beginning, she's very virginal; she's a young woman who's very sweet and innocent. Then, halfway through, this sexy vixen is released in her. I love singing Touch Me and I love doing the bedroom scenes - they're such fun! It's a real buzz when I do that - and to see the transformation she goes through is really exciting.
The Rocky Horror Show was first produced in 1973 and has since become a global phenomenon. Do you feel any pressure to live up to past performers in the same role?
Yeah, I do. Like I said, the fans are so involved and absolutely love the show. I really want them to like me and think that I'm doing a good job. It's such an important part of the show that they like my portrayal of the character. I'm just trying to put my own stamp on things. I auditioned for the part and worked really hard, so I'm just going to go in there and do my best and do it my way. I hope the audiences will enjoy Janet as much as I enjoy playing her.
Were you a Rocky Horror fan before you agreed to take part in the show?
Yeah, I knew the film, as I'd seen it when I was younger. I've got a lot of friends who go and see the show when it tours; they're huge superfans. I loved the film and was very aware of it, but now I've got the fever! It's safe to say that I'm now a big Rocky Horror fan!
How would you describe Rocky Horror?
It's such a fun show! It's a rollercoaster of a show. It's filled with great songs and amazing dancing. It's raunchy, it's sexy, it has sass and it's really funny. All of that and yet quite emotional at the same time. It's very character-driven too. If you want a good night out, where you can get up and dance at the theatre, it's definitely the show to see!
What's it like working with the rest of the cast? Is there a chemistry?
Yeah, we all get along like a house on fire! It's such a great company; they're all really lovely. Everybody works really hard and there's no bad energy. I'm excited to get on the road with them all. Liam Tamne, who's playing Frank N Furter, is absolutely fantastic. Every time I watch him, I'm in complete awe of him! The whole company hold it all together and help each other out. I couldn't hope for a better team, to be honest!
What would be your ideal role in theatre?
There are so many great characters out there. I'd love to play Roxie Hart in Chicago. That would be a bit of a dream!
Would you like to produce more music in the future?
Yeah, never say never! I love writing and I love singing, but right now, I'm concentrating on my acting. In the past, I've spent so much time in the studio on my music that I'm taking some time out to do something different.
Diana Vickers stars in The Rocky Horror Show at Worcestershire's Malvern Theatre from Monday 9 until Saturday 14 May and at Stoke’s Regent Theatre from Monday 23 until Saturday 28 May.